Patriot

I have eyeballed this jacket for almost a year, and right now they are only $75. I currently have a very light single layer Nashbar windbreaker, which is easy to stow, but requires regular spraying to keep it rain proof. I want something a little more beefy. I am considering this one, as it also has a stow away hood, just in case it gets really nasty out.

Has anyone got any reviews on this one? I saw one at the local PBS, and it looked pretty nice, but wanted your thoughts as well. I don't have the money right now for a really expensive name brand jacket. For commuting, this one seems to fit the bill pretty well, especially for regular bad weather use.

Any thoughts?

https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=1130

goalieMN

I have used it all winter as my jacket. I wear the pants as well, with long-underwear under the pants if it is below zero. The jacket has been good for winter commuting down to below zero, with under-armour and a fleece vest under it.

It has also worked well in the rain, but it is too warm when the temp is above 60ish, even with the pit vents open.

Overall, I am really glad I bought it instead of a more expensive jacket.

paulwwalters

I want one for colder stuff, I just bought the Illuminite Vest, so that should come in the mail this week.

macteacher

Looks like a nice jacket. I think almost any rain gear will be hot when the temp. is above 60

ken cummings

I've had good luck with Performance rain gear. The one set of jacket and pants lasted over 20 years with a few repairs.

vrkelley

I have the non-hooded version. It's an oven with a layer of vapor after about 30mins of riding. The vapor drips back on to the base layer. Great vis tho...drivers love it. I'm thinki of slicing my own pit zips

Edited: mine does not have the zips...

MrCjolsen

It has kept me dry on some very wet 12 mile commutes. However, it is warm, and I use it more off the bike than on.

no motor?

[QUOTE=Patriot;6468007]I have eyeballed this jacket for almost a year, and right now they are only $75...

I've been doing the same, how about letting us know if you get one?

TBatty

Got it, like it. the whole notion of "waterproof and breatheable" is , in my experience, false. As others have noted, this jacket is rather warm in warm weather (go figure...), but it keeps the precipitation out, the Illuminite really shows up when light hits it, and the high-vis yellow is very noticable.

My grip with it is the quality of the zippers. I had the main zipper replaced, the little metal stop on the bottom of the non-slider side came off. Repair was cheaper than a new jacket, I didn't even try to warrantee it with Performance. The zipper on the rear pocket tends to jam as well.

But, my wife has the same jacket, and has had no problems with zippers, so mine may be an isolated case.

I would buy another one, that is the bottom line.

no motor?

I bought the highvis commuter model last night. The temperature was in the high 30's, and it had been drizzling most of the day. My girlfriend put it on and walked around in the road while I shined the headlights on the jacket and the yellow really stood out, and reflective areas weren't as bright. But it was very noticeable, and aside from the rainflap opening on the right side I really like the looks and feel of it. The pit zippers are huge, it's got a large back vent with a longer tail, pockets, adjustable cuffs and was on sale for $72.00 at Performance. I liked the looks of it way better than the PI Vagabond II they had there too - I hope I'm this happy with it after I actually ride in it!

SSP

IMO, Illuminite is over-rated and over-priced. It's an interesting concept, but it does not get the job done well enough for me to trust it when riding in the dark (or rain or fog).

Instead, I purchased an ANSI Class II construction worker vest in fluorescent lime green for about $20. Besides the lime green mesh material, it has wide stripes of 3M reflective material across the back, front, and sides. The vest is designed to be worn by roadway workers who need to stand near high speed traffic, fits over any of my outer layers (including rain jackets), and is much, much more noticeable than any Illuminite produce will ever be.

Zero_Enigma

Hey the PI Vagabond is at the same price as well on sale right now.

https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=1130

alpinist

Damn. Would have bought one of those Illuminite Commuters at that price if I had seen this sooner and they still had one in my size/color. Stopped by my local Performance and no such luck.

robtown

I bought one last year for about $50 w/o hood. It's visible but doesn't vent. I found myself getting clamy and cold or damp and overheated. My "winter" jacket has pit vents and breathes much better.

Zero_Enigma

Can anyone find out what the sizings are in relation to the S/M/L ??

Like what the armpit to armpit size is? Also the collar measurement? Collar to waist measurement?

For those that own this jacket does the collar stretch a little? I'm thinking of laying under it but some stuff may have a slight collar or collar so I want to know if there is any stretch on it.

goalieMN

It is not stretchy. I have an XL that fits me, and I am 6-1 with a 74" wingspan. I layered all winter with it.

cyclezealot

I'd like to have a mid weight jacket for mid range temperatures. Like the low 40's. My spring jacket is too light. My winter jacket too heavy. Maybe this is the one. ?

no motor?

Your vest should be more reflective than the illuminite, and should be as reflective as the jackets I've worn while riding my motorcycle. Those stand out like a sore thumb, and helped me stand out in conditions I hope to avoid on the bicycle.

no motor?

The collar on the large is 20" from zipper to zipper, armpit is 22 from zipper to zipper, and the collar to waist is 32" from the collar top to the bottom of the drop waist (it's lower cut in the back to "C.Y.A."). It's not stretchy, and there is room for a few layers under it. I'm 6'0" and weigh about 195 and the large fits my fine.

I wore it for a half hour last night, with 2 thing baselayers and a medium baselayer underneath. It was cold enough (35 deg) to stop and put on a pair of winter gloves on the way home. I also wore a pair of tights and a balaclava, and had the pit zips open to keep from sweating too much. I had enough moisture accumulated in the arms to notice it when I took the jacket off, but had started out with damp clothes and was wearing a backpack that cuts down on most of the rear venting.

I'm pleased with it overall, I'm way more comfortable and noticeable in it than I was in the windbreaker I was wearing before and the Novaro Conversion jacket was the only thing I saw that came close to doing what this one does - and it didn't have any front pockets.

Jarery

Hasn't almost every person in this thread who actually owns this jacket said its too warm, doesn't vent, and you overheat and get covered in sweat? Why the heck would anyone still be considering it? Is it the glow in the dark aspect that makes one want it?

littlewaywelt

I respectfully disagree.

I've used illuminte for years. While an ANSI vest is more visible at a distance and I'm not planning on riding on highways. Illuminite is fully visible unless it's soaking wet. There's no denying that with the jacket you're identifiable from far enough away to be id'd and that you look like a person, not a traffic sign or something else a driver is going to have to figure out.

Illuminite is an important part of my overall visibility package, including lights, lots of 3m tape on the bike, helmet, etc.

littlewaywelt

Yes.
My illuminite jackets don't breath that well either, but it's the price I'm willing to pay for it's visibility.

SSP

Well, I'm sure that it's better than nothing, but I own a yellow Illumunite jacket, and I can assure you that my construction worker vest is much, much more visible.

The vest also features a mesh fabric, meaning I can wear it whenever I ride at night, regardless of the temperature.

And, with its fluorescent lime green color, it doesn't depend solely on illumination from car headlights to make me visible to traffic. This is particularly important if you have to ride in fog, or at dawn/dusk when many drivers aren't using their headlights.

Bottom line: if it's good enough for guys who have to work next to the freeway, that's something I want when I'm out playing in traffic, in the dark, in my underwear.

goalieMN

FWIW, I said that I have loved it for winter commuting. Mine does have the pit zips though.

littlewaywelt

There are illuminite vests, too.

My illuminte jacket is fluorescent lime green as well.

good enough for guys on the freeway...you mean the good produced at the lowest cost don't you? My bottom line is that at 200 yards or less, I want to register as a person, not something that might be a barrel or traffic sign; illuminite might not be quite as bright as the reflective tape used on a highway worker vest but it meets the former burden and that's more important to me. With a blinky a car will see me at 1000 yards or more. When they get within range of the illuminite it's clear that I'm a person on a bike. When I signal at night a car can tell what I'm doing from 200 yards. Can't do that with a vest.

Just my .02

I think we largely splitting hairs. The important thing to this thread, imo, is that the poster is picking clothing that will add to the overall passive lighting.